Mathematical computation, mathematical insight, and mathematical truth Andrew Odlyzko School of Mathematics University of Minnesota
[email protected] http://www.dtc.umn.edu/∼odlyzko July 31, 2014 Andrew Odlyzko ( SchoolMathematical of Mathematics University of Minnesota computation,
[email protected] http://www.dtc.umn.edu/ 31, 2014 mathematical 1 / 22 The mysteries of prime numbers: Mathematicians have tried in vain to discover some order in the sequence of prime numbers but we have every reason to believe that there are some mysteries which the human mind will never penetrate. To convince ourselves, we have only to cast a glance at tables of primes (which some have constructed to values beyond 100,000) and we should perceive that there reigns neither order nor rule. Euler, 1751 Andrew Odlyzko ( SchoolMathematical of Mathematics University of Minnesota computation,
[email protected] http://www.dtc.umn.edu/ 31, 2014 mathematical 2 / 22 Computing in mathematics: long history growing role “You waste that which is plentiful” (George Gilder) needed to cope with greater complexity and sophistication Andrew Odlyzko ( SchoolMathematical of Mathematics University of Minnesota computation,
[email protected] http://www.dtc.umn.edu/ 31, 2014 mathematical 3 / 22 Computing in mathematics: Gaining insight and intuition, or just knowledge. Discovering new facts, patterns, and relationships. Graphing to expose mathematical facts, structures, or principles. Rigorously testing and especially falsifying conjectures. Exploring a possible result to see if